HABITS OF SAND EELS. 209 



their way into the wet sand of the sea-shore, where they 

 take refuge from the fishes which pursue them. The 

 generic term {Ammodytes) refers to this power of digging 

 into the sand. 



The Small-mouthed, or Sand Launce {Ammodytes 

 laiicea), is a well-known fish, very abundant on almost 

 all the shores of Great Britain and Ireland. It is much 

 smaller than the other species, seldom exceeding seven 

 or eight inches. On account of its silvery brightness, it 

 is in great estimation and constant use with fishermen 

 as bait for their lines. With the projecting under-jaw, 

 aided by the muscular power of the fish, and its slender 

 form, it is enabled to bury itself very rapidly, five or six. 

 inches deep, in the soft sand as the sea retires, and 

 then releases itself again on the return of the flood-tide, 

 apparently quite uninjured, although it has been out of 

 the water for some hom's. "When it is discovered that a 

 shoal of sand-eels have hidden themselves in the sand, 

 sea-side visitors should sally out, armed with spades, 

 shovels, rakes, and forks, and dig them out. When 

 extricated from the sand-beds, the fish leap about with 

 singular agility, and aflord much sport. Perhaps the 

 fun in catching them has originated the saying, '' As 

 jolly as a sand-boy." When taken, they are fi*equently 

 used as food, and are well-flavoured. Immense numbers 

 of them are caught in the seine nets at the mouth of the 

 Teign, Devonshire. They are much used as bait for 

 basse-fishing with the rod. Mr. Hearder, of Plymouth, 

 has made a very excellent artificial sand-eel of spiral 

 india-rubber. 



15 



